Peasants' War Memorial - Mechelen

Source: Willem Vandenameele

This Peasants' War Memorial (1798) stands on the site of the old cemetery , consisting of a wrought-iron cross and a large cast-iron Christ.

Erected and dedicated by the Davidsfonds on October 23, 1898 , this memorial commemorates the 41 insurgents shot by French soldiers a century earlier during the 1798 “Peasants' War”.
His mass grave was discovered in 2010 during archaeological excavations at the Saint-Rombout cemetery.

This is the cross of the Sint-Nicolaaskerk in Dessel (province of Antwerp). On the hard stone base are several inscriptions and a copper plate.

The Boeren Krijg was a 1798 peasant uprising in South Holland against French occupation . The local (rural) population of various parts of modern-day Flanders rebelled mainly due to, among other things, strict military rule , additional taxes and confiscations, anti-Catholic policies , the introduction of military service and the subordination of their . language in favor of French. Another reason given is the nationalization and privatization of agricultural land.

The first skirmishes had already begun in the East Flemish town of Overmere on October 12, 1798. Four times, between October 5 and 19, it was announced in front of the Mechelen town hall that many young people would be conscripted into the French army . For many, this was the proverbial straw that forced people to actually protest.

Only twenty or so French soldiers remained in the city and the gates remained open. Since the city was thus in possession , the peasant warriors (also called bandits ) could easily take Mechelen on October 22nd . The bandits' attack was quite spontaneous, with no real coordinated leadership . The same day, the French led by Béguinot were able to return to the city with their relatively small troops.

Another attack by peasant warriors arrived on October 23 . Mechelen was almost completely surrounded this time and Béguinot was unable to defeat the robbers. Two captains, Mazingant and Conroux, came from Boom with their troops . For example, the French had a total of about 550 men , which was too large a force for the raiders. With this increased strength, the bandits could be defeated this time.

A "court-martial" was quickly set up and of the 70 prisoners, 41 were found guilty of "treason against the French Republic". They were shot near Sint-Romboutskerkhof and, if not killed immediately, bayoneted. Then they were thrown into a mass grave , some not quite dead. It was intended to serve as a signal to other insurgents in the region.

Source

Source: Willem Vandenameele

Statistics

BE | | Public | CatalanDutchFrenchGermanItalianSpanish

Looking for routes that pass here?

Nearby routes
Advertisement

Things to do in surrounding

Select one of the most popular activities below or refine your search.

- RouteYou Selections -

Discover the most beautiful and popular trails in the area, carefully bundled into appropriate selections.

Source: Willem Vandenameele

Sights nearby

Select one of the most popular categories below or be inspired by our selections.

- RouteYou Selections -

Discover the most beautiful and popular attractions in the area, carefully bundled in appropriate selections.

Destinations close by

Source: Willem Vandenameele

Plan your route

With RouteYou, it's easy to create your own customised maps. Simply plot your route, add waypoints or nodes, add places of interest and places to eat and drink, and then easily share it with your family and friends.

Route planner

Route planner

This place of interest on your website

<iframe src="https://plugin.routeyou.com/poiviewer/free/?language=en&amp;params.poi.id=8425128" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Try this feature for free with a RouteYou Plus trial subscription.

If you already have such an account, then log in now.


More than 8,500,000 routes


More than 15,000,000 users


More than 4,200,000 points of interest

Address

Kerkstraat 108

9050 Gentbrugge, Belgium

Follow us

Download the free app

Contact

Marketing & sales

[email protected]

General queries

[email protected]

© 2006-2024 RouteYou - www.routeyou.com